The Weekly Update #4

As the weather warms up and we welcome the season of renewal, here are some fun and educational activities you can enjoy with your kindergartner this April. These activities promote learning while making the most of the season's wonders.

1. Spring Nature Scavenger Hunt

Encourage your little one to explore the outdoors by creating a nature scavenger hunt! Make a list of items to find, such as:

• A flower
• A bird
• A leaf
• A cloud shaped like something
• A rock

Once they've found everything, talk about what each item is and how it relates to spring!

2. DIY Bird Feeder

Get crafty with your kindergartner by making a simple bird feeder using items like peanut butter, toilet paper rolls, and birdseed. Hang it in the yard and watch as birds come to visit. It's a great way to teach about wildlife and nature's changes during spring.

3. Rainbow Craft

Create a rainbow using colored paper or tissue paper. Cut out strips of paper in all the colors of the rainbow, then glue them to a sheet to make a bright, colorful display. You can discuss the science behind rainbows and how they appear after it rains.

4. April Showers and Weather Play

Talk about the different types of weather we experience in April, such as rain and sunshine. After discussing, have your child engage in some pretend play by making "rain" using a spray bottle or creating their own rainstorm with cotton balls and construction paper.

5. Planting Seeds

April is the perfect time to plant seeds indoors. Choose easy-to-grow flowers or vegetables like sunflowers or peas and let your child plant the seeds in small pots. As they watch their plants grow, it's a wonderful opportunity to talk about the life cycle of plants and responsibility.

6. Springtime Sensory Bin

Create a sensory bin with items like fake grass, plastic flowers, small bugs, and colorful stones. Let your child explore and describe what they feel, see, and hear. This is a great way to encourage sensory exploration and imaginative play.

7. Easter Egg Hunt

Even if it’s not Easter, a fun and engaging egg hunt can be an exciting activity. Hide colorful plastic eggs around the yard or house and let your child search for them. You can fill the eggs with small treats or little toys. Bonus: Use this as an opportunity to teach colors, counting, and sorting.

8. Nature Walk & Spring Story Time

Take a walk around your neighborhood or a local park. As you walk, talk about the changes you see in nature — budding trees, blooming flowers, or insects emerging. After the walk, settle down with a spring-themed book for story time.

9. Flowerpot Decorating

Purchase some small flowerpots and let your kindergartner decorate them with paint, markers, or stickers. Once decorated, they can be used to plant the seeds they grew earlier or just displayed as a fun spring craft.

10. Spring Sing-Along

There are plenty of fun spring-themed songs to sing with your child! Find some catchy tunes that celebrate the season and sing together. "The Itsy-Bitsy Spider," "Here Comes the Sun," or “The Ants Go Marching” are great choices.

As spring arrives, many families experience a variety of weather conditions, including thunderstorms, heavy rain, and strong winds. For some children, these weather changes can cause anxiety. If your kindergartner struggles with weather-related fears, here are some tips and resources to help ease their anxiety:

1. Talk About the Weather

Understanding what’s happening during storms or rainy days can help reduce fear.

• Discuss Weather Patterns: Use simple language to explain why storms happen (e.g., "The thunder is just clouds bumping together, and the rain helps flowers and trees grow!").
• Predict the Weather: Help your child feel in control by learning to forecast the weather together. There are apps or simple weather charts that can make it fun!

2. Create a Safe Space

Having a designated area where your child feels safe can be comforting.

• Comfort Items: Encourage them to keep their favorite stuffed animal, blanket, or calming sensory toys nearby during storms.
• Relaxation Tools: Practice deep breathing together or play calming music to distract from the sounds of the storm.

3. Routine and Reassurance

Maintaining a consistent routine during weather events can help your child feel secure.

• Stay Calm: Children are great at picking up on their parents' emotions. Reassure your little one with a calm, confident voice.
• Affirmations: Reassure your child by telling them that storms are just temporary and that they are safe. You can say something like, “The storm will pass, and we are safe inside.”

4. Use Books and Stories

Books are a wonderful way to help children understand their feelings and fears. Here are some books you can read together:

• "Thunder Cake" by Patricia Polacco – A sweet story about overcoming fear of thunderstorms.
• "The Storm" by Akiko Miyakoshi – A calming story that shows how a storm can be scary but also exciting and temporary.
• "Oh No, George!" by Chris Haughton – While not directly about weather, this story about overcoming challenges can be empowering for kids.
• "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" by Judi Barrett – This silly story about wacky weather can help kids see weather in a fun and lighthearted way.

5. Weather Anxiety Coping Strategies

You can help your child cope with anxiety through simple coping techniques:

• Breathing Exercises: Help your child learn deep breathing techniques, such as "smell the flower" (inhale deeply) and "blow out the candle" (exhale slowly).
• Mindfulness: Focus on the present moment with your child. Have them describe what they see, hear, and feel to help distract them from their anxiety.
• Create a Weather Diary: Let your child draw or write about their feelings before, during, and after a storm. This can help them express their fears and see that they are okay.

By offering your kindergartner a safe, reassuring environment and using these resources, you can help them navigate their fears and build confidence when facing weather changes. If you ever need support, please don't hesitate to reach out – we are here to help!

Hobart is all about helping the community! If you ever need any resources or support, please feel free to reach out and I will do my best to help find you the resources you need!

The Early Learning Center does a weekend food assistance program! Your child should have gotten a paper copy of this in their folder. If you need returned the form back to the school, then you are all set! If you haven't filled it out and would like to participate, please fill out the link below and we will make sure your child is added to our program!

There is also a list of resources that can be beneficial to you as well! You can click on the link below and see what resources there are. If you don't find what you are looking for or have further questions, please reach out!

You can also go to www.findhelp.org for even more resources!

Every week I go into classrooms to work on social emotional skills! Every month you can check out what I am doing here!

Hello Parents! The books Ruby Finds a Worry, A Little Spot of Happiness, and A Little Spot of Anger are great resources for helping children understand and manage their emotions. Here are some fun and educational activities you can do with your kindergartner to further explore these themes at home.

1. Create an Emotions Chart

Help your child become more aware of their feelings by creating an Emotions Chart.

• How to Do It: Draw or print pictures of different facial expressions showing various emotions like happiness, sadness, anger, and worry. Then, each day, ask your child how they’re feeling and mark it on the chart.
• Learning Focus: This activity helps children identify and name their emotions, which is the first step in managing them. You can also use this chart as a way to check in with your child throughout the day.

2. Feelings Jar

Inspired by Ruby Finds a Worry, where Ruby learns to share her worry, create a Feelings Jar where your child can put notes about their emotions.

• How to Do It: Cut small pieces of paper, and whenever your child feels a particular emotion, have them write (or draw) it and place it in the jar. Once a week, read through the notes together and talk about what each feeling means.
• Learning Focus: This activity encourages emotional expression and helps children understand that it's okay to feel different emotions, whether they’re big or small.

3. Emotion Charades

Turn learning about emotions into a fun game by playing Emotion Charades.

• How to Do It: Write different emotions on slips of paper (like “happy,” “angry,” “worried,” “excited,” etc.). Draw a slip, and act out the emotion while your child guesses. Then, let your child pick a slip and act it out for you.
• Learning Focus: This helps children recognize and express emotions through body language and facial expressions. It also encourages empathy as they understand how others might feel.

4. Anger and Happiness Stones

Based on the idea of “spots” of emotion in the books, make Anger and Happiness Stones together.

• How to Do It: Paint two small rocks or stones—one to represent anger (perhaps with red colors or a frown) and one for happiness (perhaps with yellow colors or a smile). Talk about when it’s normal to feel angry and when to feel happy. Keep them in a special place as a reminder of how to manage emotions.
• Learning Focus: This tactile activity reinforces the idea that emotions are part of us but don’t need to control us. It also provides a physical object that kids can hold or focus on when they feel those emotions.

5. Create a “Worry Box”

Inspired by Ruby’s worry, create a Worry Box for your child to put their worries in.

• How to Do It: Decorate a box together and label it as a "Worry Box." Encourage your child to write or draw any worries they may have and place them in the box. Once the box is full, have a conversation about what those worries are and how they can be managed.
• Learning Focus: This activity teaches children that it’s okay to have worries, but there are ways to manage them. It also encourages them to talk about their fears in a safe space.

6. Feelings Collage

Make a Feelings Collage using magazine clippings, stickers, and other craft supplies.

• How to Do It: Together, find pictures that show different emotions (like a happy face, a sad face, or a worried face) and glue them onto a large sheet of paper. You can label each emotion and even add words or phrases that describe how each emotion feels.
• Learning Focus: This creative project helps your child visually connect emotions with real-life situations, making it easier for them to recognize these feelings in themselves.

7. Daily "Spot" Reflection

Each day, take a few minutes to reflect on how your child is feeling, using the concept of "spots" from A Little Spot of Happiness and A Little Spot of Anger.

• How to Do It: Ask your child to pick a "spot" they’re feeling today. It could be a "spot of happiness," a "spot of anger," or any other emotion. After they pick their spot, talk about what caused it and how they can handle it. For example, if they have a "spot of anger," talk about ways to calm down (like taking deep breaths or counting to ten).
• Learning Focus: This daily practice helps your child develop emotional intelligence by reflecting on their feelings regularly. It encourages them to think about the causes and solutions for their emotions.

8. Mindful Breathing for Big Emotions

Teach your child mindful breathing techniques when they’re feeling overwhelmed by big emotions.

• How to Do It: Practice deep breathing exercises together, such as "smell the flower, blow out the candle," to help them manage anger, worry, or sadness. Use the concept of "spots" to help them focus on how they can calm themselves down when they feel a big emotion coming on.
• Learning Focus: Mindfulness helps children regulate their emotions and gives them a tool to use when they feel upset. It’s a great way to encourage self-awareness and emotional control.

9. Feelings Storytime

Read additional books that explore emotions, including books with stories similar to Ruby Finds a Worry or A Little Spot of Anger.

• How to Do It: Check out books like The Color Monster by Anna Llenas, When Sophie Gets Angry – Really, Really Angry by Molly Bang, or In My Heart: A Book of Feelings by Jo Witek. After reading, talk about the emotions in the story and how they might relate to your child’s own experiences.
• Learning Focus: Storytime can help normalize emotions and provide language for children to discuss their feelings. It also teaches empathy as they connect with characters in the book.

10. Emotion-Themed Art

Let your child create emotion-themed artwork to express their feelings.

• How to Do It: Use markers, crayons, or paint to create art that represents different emotions—perhaps a big, red picture for anger or a sunny yellow one for happiness. Talk about what each color represents and why they chose that emotion to express.
• Learning Focus: Art gives children an outlet for emotional expression and helps them connect colors and shapes to their feelings.

1. Building a Strong Foundation

Kindergarten is a critical year for your child’s development, where they begin to learn essential skills that will set the stage for future success. Each day in school is filled with important lessons—whether it’s learning to read, practicing math, or developing social skills—and missing even a single day can mean missing out on key concepts.

2. Social and Emotional Growth

In kindergarten, children not only learn academic skills but also important social and emotional skills. They are learning how to make friends, share, take turns, and communicate effectively. When students are absent, they miss opportunities to interact with their peers and practice these essential life skills.

3. Establishing a Routine

Kindergarten is often the first experience a child has with a structured school routine. Regular attendance helps children adjust to this routine and develop good habits, such as arriving on time, following schedules, and completing tasks. These habits are important for their overall success in school and beyond.

4. Building Confidence

Being present and engaged in class helps children feel confident in their abilities. When they participate in lessons, ask questions, and complete activities with their classmates, they gain a sense of achievement and pride. Missing school can lead to feelings of being left behind or disconnected from the class.

5. Teacher Support

Your child’s teacher is here to support their learning and growth, but they can only do so effectively if your child is consistently present. Teachers are better able to meet your child’s individual needs when they have regular interactions and can provide timely feedback.

What You Can Do:

• Make School a Priority: Help your child understand that school is important and that their presence matters.
• Keep Routine: Establish a bedtime routine to ensure your child gets enough sleep and is ready for school each day.
• Communicate with Us: If your child needs to miss school for any reason, let us know in advance

Hello! I’m Miss Taylor Louie, and I’m thrilled to be the school counselor here at the Early Learning Center. My role is to support students in their academic, emotional, and social development, helping them navigate the challenges of school and life with confidence and resilience.

I’m passionate about creating a safe and inclusive environment where every student feels heard and supported. Whether it's helping with academic planning, providing guidance on personal issues, or facilitating group counseling sessions, my goal is to empower students to reach their full potential.

If you or your child ever need someone to talk to, whether it's about school, friendships, or anything else, I’m here to listen and help. Feel free to reach out to me via email at tlouie@hobart.k12.in.us and let’s work together to ensure a positive and successful school experience!

Looking forward to a great year ahead!

Hello! I’m Ryan Williams, and I’m in my second year as the Behavior Interventionist at the Early Learning Center. My role is to support students in managing their behavior while promoting social and emotional growth through personalized strategies that foster meaningful opportunities for development.

Before stepping into this role, I taught middle school math for 17 years. I earned my master’s degree in School Counseling and am excited to serve the Hobart community in this new capacity. Having been a Brickie myself since kindergarten, I’m passionate about helping our young Brickies grow and thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

If you’d like to discuss how we can partner together to support your child’s continued growth, I’d love to be part of that journey. Feel free to contact me at rwilliams@hobart.k12.in.us or 219-942-7263 ext. 8822.

Thank you, and I look forward to the great year ahead!

Hi, everyone! My name is Mrs. Lyndsey Deaton, and I am the Wellness Supervisor at the ELC. I work closely with Miss. Louie, the school counselor, and Mr. Williams, the behavioral interventionist. My goal is to help students form their own tools and goals necessary to help self-regulate their emotional and behavioral choices in a safe and positive way. This ensures a better learning experience for not only themselves, but those around them. A few examples of how I achieve this would be providing support within the classrooms, talking students through their emotions with calm down techniques, weekly goal checks and collaborating with teachers in weekly meetings. I am passionate about seeing students progress and grow throughout the year as they hit their behavioral goals and seeing the joy that it brings them. Feel free to contact me at 219-942-7263 x8818 or at ldeaton@hobart.k12.in.us for any questions or if you'd like to work together to ensure a positive school experience! Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your child's learning journey!

As always, please feel free to reach out if you have any questions, concerns, or need anything. I am here to help!

Take care,

Taylor Louie

tlouie@hobart.k12.in.us

(219) 942-7263 ext. 8804